Special Circuit to Peru

ITINERARY

A comprehensive 18-day journey of spectacular attractions, from Colonial Lima and the Paracas’ Reserve, the enigmatic Nazca Lines to the magnificent Colca Canyon, the floating islands on Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu. This package is designed to enchant you with Peru's history, archaeology and living tapestry of culture. It includes private tours with our guides and delicious meals featuring traditional Peruvian cuisine.

LIMA

DAY 1 - CITY LIMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ARRIVAL

We meet you on your arrival at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima and transfer you to your selected hotel. Free Day.

DAY 2 - LIMA CITY TOUR

Breakfast at hotel, Take the morning to rest and relax. In the afternoon, around 2 pm, you embark on a city tour with our guide and driver to take in the most important and attractive sites in Lima, the "City of Kings." The tour includes visits to HuacaPucllana, an adobe pyramid structure in the heart of the seaside district of Miraflores.

We take a walk through the historic center: following Paseo de la República, and taking in the colonial architecture of the Plaza San Martin, and the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by grand buildings like the Government Palace, the Cathedral (housing the tomb of Pizarro) the Archbishop's Palace, and the Municipal Palace.

We pass through old streets with colonial mansions, and Lima's intricate wood-carved balconies. Next stop is a visit to the Convent and Church of San Francisco, which holds the oldest collection of colonial art in the Americas, with an exquisitely carved chorus, a library of ancient manuscripts, and the Sacristy with paintings by Zurbarán and Rivera.

The grand courtyard of the main cloister is decorated floor-to-ceiling in blue and white Sevillian tiles, depicting scenes from the bible that dates back to the 16th Century. Moroccan arches lead us to the Catacombs, a subterranean crypt from the colonial period, where the bones of 25 thousand colonial-era Lima residents are entombed.

The tour continues through the most traditional residential areas of the city: San Isidro, the Central Park of Miraflores and down to the cliff-side shopping Complex of Larcomar, a symbol of modern Lima.

Overnight in LIMA.

ICA - PARACAS / NAZCA

DAY 3 - LIMA/ NATIONAL RESERVE OF PARACAS

Take the bus from Lima to Paracas’ (duration 3:30 min.). Reception and transfer from bus station to hotel in Paracas.

11:00 am pick up from your hotel and then go by tourist bus to Paracas National Reserve; the reason for this rich wildlife is the cold upwelling of the Humboldt Current. The sharp contrast between the desert and the sea also provides a stunning landscape. The tour begins with the excursion to this reserve of Paracas.

We might see marine otters and the bird with the largest wingspan in the world, the condor, which flies down from the Andes in search of food. In the afternoon, we transfer by bus to the town of Nazca where you will stay the night.

DAY 05 - OVERFLIGHT IN NAZCA LINES

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we go to the airport for a 30-minute flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines, enormous drawings of animals, birds, and geometric figures etched into the desert floor, which can only be truly appreciated from the air.

In the afternoon, transfer from Nazca to Arequipa by royal class service at 15:00 hrs. (8 hrs. 30 min.).

AREQUIPA

DAY 06 - CITY TOUR IN AREQUIPA

In Arequipa reception and transfer to the Hotel in Arequipa City.

In the afternoon, we take a guided tour of Arequipa, starting at the Plaza de Armas (the main square) one of the most beautiful in Peru, the Cathedral, a fine example of 19th Century Peruvian architecture, which houses precious artifacts of gold and silver.

We visit the "city within a city," the Convent of Santa Catalina, with its vibrantly colored walls and courtyards that remained cloistered for centuries and was only opened to the public in the 1960s.

We also visit the Compañia Church, an old Jesuit complex, perhaps the most historically significant in Arequipa, with a beautiful church facade covered in columns carved into spirals, laurel wreaths, flowers and birds.

Transfer back to your hotel.

DAY 7.-AREQUIPA TO COLCA CANYON

Early in the morning, we embark on an incredible 4-hour bus journey to the Colca Canyon. It's one of the deepest canyons in the world (3,400 meters), passing through the Cañahuas plateau to the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, a habitat for vicuñas and alpacas (species of South American camelids related to the llama).

We stop for lunch at a local restaurant before setting back out on the road. In route, you will see pre-Columbian terraces that are still used today to grow native crops. Refreshments are served along the way.

When we arrive at Valle de Colca, you will be transferred to your selected lodge. In the afternoon, we recommend you rest to acclimatize to the altitude. If you find yourself in good physical shape, take a walk around the surrounding countryside or take a bath in the nearby thermal pools. You will then have dinner and stay overnight in your selected lodge.

DAY 8 - COLCA TO CRUZ DEL CONDOR

Breakfast in the hotel.

Very early in the morning we depart to the Cruz Del Condor viewpoint, where you will have a chance to see the largest flying bird the largest bird on the world in full flight really an incredible birdwatching. On the return journey, we visit the towns of Yanque, Coporaque, Achoma and Maca. It is a great opportunity to see the daily life of the inhabitants, which has not changed a great deal since Inca times.

We stop for lunch in a local restaurant. After DEPARTURE TO PUNO IN TOURIST BUS includes the guide and leave it at the door of your hotel, overnight in Puno.

PUNO

DAY 09. - EXCURSION TO FLOATING UROS ISLANDS AND TAQUILE ISLAND

Breakfast in the hotel. Early in the morning, we start an unforgettable boat tour around Lake Titicaca. Our first stop is the Floating Islands of Los Uros, where people have lived since pre-Inca times. These Andean natives have built their own islands out of reeds, stacking new layers to form floating structures dozens of meters deep.

The vegetable fiber used is ScirpusTotora, from the papyrus family. They also use this material to build their houses and boats. We continue to Taquile, inhabited by Quechua speakers who have developed, generation after generation, an efficient and original social system, and their own magnificent textile techniques.

After lunch at a local tavern on Taquile, we walk around its hillsides and archaeological sites. In the evening, we return you to Puno, and your hotel.

DAY 10 - PUNO TO CUSCO BY TOURISTIC BUS INKA EXPRESS

7:00 am — Departure (Puno) — 3800 meters altitude.

8:45 am — Pukara Museum — 3900 meters altitude.

Pukara was the first regional population center in the northern Lake Titicaca Basin during the Late Formative Period (500 BC- AD 200), providing valuable insights into the origins of Andean civilization in the highlands.

During its peak, it covered over a square kilometer and housed thousands of bureaucrats, priests, artisans, farmers, herders, and possibly warriors. The Pukara style is identified by impressive monolithic sculptures with a variety of geometric, zoomorphic, and anthropomorphic images plus intricate, multi-colored pottery in a variety of ritual and domestic forms.

10:00 am — La Raya Pass — 4335 meters altitude.

Abra La Raya (La Raya Pass) is the watershed between the valley that drains into Lake Titicaca and the valley that leads down to Cusco and to the Sacred Valley. The altitude is 4338 m (14,232 feet).

12:00 am — Sicuani Buffet Lunch — 3552 meters altitude. Sicuani is a relatively large highland town. The town is a major intersection, with the road to Puno/Arequipa passing through here. This town is surrounded by some very pretty hills. Afterwards, you have a buffet lunch in our exclusive restaurant with family atmosphere.

1:15 pm — Raqchi "Temple of Wiracocha" — 3450 meters altitude. The most important building inside the complex is the "Wiracocha temple" that according to the old chroniclers was built by the Inca Wiracocha in honour to the Superior God invisible for the Andean people: "Apu Kon Titi Wiracocha". The "temple of Wiracocha" is a great construction for that age. Architectonically it is classified as "Kallanka", that is, a high building completely covered with straw (wood and "ichu"). Externally it is 92 meters long (302 feet) and 25.25 meter wide (83 feet).

It is a true prodigy of mural art, and especially of the talent of the great Tadeo Escalante. The interior is fully decorated, although it’s not all made by his hand. One of the greatest qualities of this church is the feeling of harmony, which obeys to the fact that most of the work was in his charge. Most of the murals are dated in 1802.

There, you will find the church of San Pedro Apostol de Andahuaylillas, built by the Jesuits in the 16th century. Like other Spanish and religious constructions of the time, it was built on top of a huaca, or sacred place for the Incas. Made out of adobe and brick, the church is a small structure consisting of one nave, apse and bell tower. But there is a reason why it is known as the Sistine Chapel of America.

5:30 pm — Arrival (Cusco) — 3400 meters altitude.

Overnight in Cusco.

CUSCO

DAY 11. - CUSCO -CITY TOUR + NEARBY RUINS

Breakfast in the hotel. In the afternoon, we start to explore the city of Cusco on a tour, in which the guide will explain the history and significance of our Inca culture and vast changes that took place with the Spanish Conquest. You will visit the main plaza, the Cathedral, and the Temple of the Sun or Koricancha.

We then visit the ruins on the External walls of the complex. Some of the stones stand 9 meters tall and weigh more than 350 tons. We then return you to your hotel.

ENTRANCE FREE TO QOSQO - CULTURAL CENTER TO ENJOY TYPICAL DANCES

DAY 12 - FULL DAY EXCURSION TO SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

In the morning after an early breakfast, you set out with the guide and driver on a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, along the Urubamba River, to visit the famous Andean market town of Pisac. We have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we pass through the towns of Calca and Urubamba on the way to the Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to the Valley and protect the Empire from possible invasions by the people of the jungle.

We have the opportunity to walk through the stone alleyways of the city and get an idea of what life was like in a military, religious and cultural center at the height of the Inca Empire.

On the way back to Cusco, we stop at the picaresque town of Chinchero, where we visit the ruins of a royal hacienda built for Tupac Inca Yapanqui.

You will admire the well-preserved Inca wall in the main plaza, and visit the beautiful colonial church with intriguing frescos painted on its portico, all built on Inca foundations. We return you to your hotel in Cusco.

DAY 13 - CUSCO/ FULL DAY EXCURSION TO SANCTUARY OF MACHUPICCHU WITH OVERNIGHT AGUAS CALIENTES

Breakfast at the hotel, then pick up and transfer to either the poroy train station or Ollantaytambo station for travel to Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Inca. We arrive at the town of Aguas calientes, and immediately up to the Ruins by bus for about 30 minutes, ascending a series of switchbacks to reach the Magnificent Machu Picchu.

The excursion includes a private tour of the citadel, visiting the main plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial, the royal quarters and the Temple of the Three Windows.

You also have some free time to walk around the complex and back to Aguas calientes town where your hotel is waiting you. overnight in aguas calientes Town.

DIA 14 - FREE MORNING IN AGUAS CALIENTES AND RETURN TO CUSCO IN THE AFTERNOON

After enjoying a buffet breakfast, you can go back to citadel and explore on your own before other visitors arrive from Cusco. Afternoon, Return by train to Poroy station where you will be transfer to your select hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.

MADRE DE DIOS

DAY 15 - CUSCO / PUERTO MALDONADO/ COCHA CAIMAN

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicate time, transfer from hotel to airport. Take the flight to PUERTO MALDONADO.

Upon your arrival in Puerto Maldonado, Peru´s Capital City of Biodiversity, we will welcome you at the airport. Then, we´ll start our program with a visit around the city, on a bus.

Afterwards, we will go to Puerto Capitanía, to board a motorized riverboat, and we´ll navigate on the Madre de Dios River.

During the journey, we will submerge into a fascinating natural environment, if we are lucky we will witness Ronsocos, Caimans, Turtles, Herons, Cormorants and other animal species in their natural environment.

Arriving at the Ecoamazonia Lodge, we will enjoy an exquisite welcome drink, we´ll get settled in our bungalows and will have lunch together.

Once satisfied, you will be conducted by our specialized tour guide through an interpretive trail conveniently signposted to the Caimán Cocha, a small lake with an abundant presence of specimens of Black Caiman (Melanosuchus Niger) and Caiman (Caiman Crocodilus).

At the end of the evening, you will witness the spectacular sunset in the Amazon, an experience full of intensities overwhelming color ranges.

Upon returning to the Lodge, a delicious dinner will await you, and enjoy free time to share unforgettable moments at the bar, equipped with an excellent game room and all the drinks you can imagine.

OVERNIGHT IN ECO- AMAZONIA LODGE.

DAY 16 – LAKE APU VICTOR / MONKEY ISLAND

The morning begins with the sound of beautiful birdsongs from the Amazon Paradise. A hearty breakfast will provide the energy for a morning full of new experiences.

After breakfast, we´ll start to hike towards the depths of the forest, on trails especially prepared, with bridges to cross gorges and rivers.

During the journey we will observe the flooded forest and a variety of Flora and Wildlife, and continuing we´ll get to the majestic Lake Apu Victor with its crystal clear waters, surrounded by marshes and giant trees.

Afterwards, we´ll go up to the Observation Deck, from which we´ll enjoy a panoramic view on the lake, observing Parrots, Macaws, Toucans, Camungos, Shanshos, Herons and other animals, such as Caimans, Turtles, etc., and if we are lucky, we´ll have a chance to observe the Giant Otter, one of the rainforest´s most spectacular animals.

After several hours, we will head back to the Lodge to enjoy lunch together.

In the afternoon, accompanied by our specialized guide, we will visit Monkey Island, a unique place in the heart of Madre de Dios River, five minutes away from the Lodge.

During the hike, we will observe extraordinary landscapes, with an exuberant flora, sheltering a variety of monkey species, in their natural habitat, such as Maquisapas, Capuchins, Small Lion Monkeys, Frailes, Cotos and other animal species like the Coati and Sloths and a great variety of birds.

Finally, we´ll complete our visit of the island, enjoying the sunset, with the most impressive dusk in the jungle. Back to the lodge we conclude the day with a pleasant dinner.

OVERNIGHT IN ECO- AMAZONIA LODGE.

DAY 17. - LOST COCHA

The morning begins with the sound of beautiful birdsongs from the Amazon Paradise. A hearty breakfast will provide the energy for a morning full of new experiences.

After breakfast, we will start an adventure in the virgin rainforest, and accompanied by a local guide, we´ll go on a hike in the deep jungle, to get to the Lost Cocha which constitutes a refuge and feeding ecosystem for a huge variety of animals.

There, we´ll have the chance to observe Otters, Caimans, Turtles, Sachavacas (Tapirs) Birds with multicolored feathers, the majestic Jaguar and a variety of fish species. This area is unique and proper to the EcoAmazonia’s Ecological Reserve which maintains it intact, with huge swamps and diverse “aguajales”.

Then, we´ll get to the extraordinary Observation Deck, from which we´ll be able to appreciate the immense and magical rainforest. Afterwards, we´ll have a pleasant canoe ride around the lake and will return to the lodge for lunch.

OVERNIGHT IN ECO- AMAZONIA LODGE.

DAY 18. – DEPARTURE

After a restful night's sleep, the morning begins with the sound of beautiful birdsongs from the Amazon Paradise. In our dining room awaits a farewell breakfast before embarking the return to Puerto Maldonado.